Thousands of young Christians who believe in traditional marriage will think twice before taking public sector jobs, a group of church leaders has warned.

In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, 17 ministers and one archbishop expressed their concern about the consequences if the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is passed in its current state.

The letter said: “If the Bill passes into law without much clearer protections for freedom of speech and freedom of belief, teachers and public-sector workers will have to choose between their conscience and their career, as many will be deterred from a public-service career or from charity involvement.”

Debate

MPs are debating amendments to the gay marriage Bill in the House of Commons today and tomorrow.

They have the opportunity to vote for a raft of amendments including protecting public sector workers who believe in traditional marriage.

The church leaders said there are 150,000 in their combined congregations, 50,000 of whom are aged between 13 and 30.

Generation

The letter said: “For many in this rising generation, marriage is the union of sexual opposites, and the thread that binds generations”.

The letter was signed by The Rt Revd Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark, Revd Vaughan Roberts rector of St Ebbe’s Oxford, and Revd John Stevens the National Director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches among others.

The Bill will cause “pain for many, without tackling prejudice against the few”, the letter said.